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A8 VRW

1996 Land Rover Defender

Green Diesel 2495cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires20 Nov 2026
Tests32 (22 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate68.8%

Mileage

184,960 mi
Last recorded184,960 miles
Recorded on21 Nov 2025
Typical for 1996 Land Rover Defender122,435 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationA8 VRW
MakeLand Rover
ModelDefender
Year1996
ColourGreen
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,495cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

22 pass 10 fail
Pass 21 Nov 2025 184,960 miles
Pass 7 Nov 2024 181,441 miles
Pass 7 Nov 2023 180,261 miles
Pass 18 Nov 2022 177,548 miles
Pass 10 Dec 2021 174,154 miles
Fail 6 Dec 2021 174,150 miles

Position lamp switch does not operate in accordance with the requirements (4.2.2 (a))

Steering column universal joint has excessive wear or play (2.2.2 (c))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected near tow bar (5.3.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 1 Dec 2020 172,009 miles

Front Seat belt slightly damaged both (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge both (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush both (5.3.2 (c))

rear most seats/seat belts not checked due to dog cage in rear

Fail 30 Nov 2020 172,006 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pad(s) contaminated (1.1.13 (b))

Offside Front Lower Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.1.2 (e) (i))

Offside Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded both (1.1.11 (c))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Front Seat belt slightly damaged both (7.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material caliper brake pipe (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material caliper brake pipe (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge both (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush both (5.3.2 (c))

both front swivel joints leaking

rear most seats/seat belts not checked due to dog cage in rear

Pass 11 Dec 2019 168,687 miles
Pass 21 Dec 2018 168,552 miles

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Parking brake warning light not operating

Rear Differential leaking

Fail 20 Dec 2018 168,552 miles

Oil leaking excessively from engine Oil dripping from the rear of the engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Parking brake warning light not operating

Rear Differential leaking

Pass 11 Dec 2017 162,729 miles
Pass 20 Dec 2016 161,607 miles

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Fail 20 Dec 2016 161,607 miles

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 7 Dec 2015 157,400 miles

Offside Front swivel housing seal leaking slightly

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar has slight play in a ball joint drop-link (2.4.G.2)

Pass 22 Dec 2014 148,419 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Fail 22 Dec 2014 148,419 miles

Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly (1.4.B.1e)

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Front Fuel pipe leaking (7.2.3)

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Windscreen has damage to an area in excess of a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Coolant leak

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Pass 13 Oct 2014 147,864 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 10 Oct 2013 145,709 miles
Fail 10 Oct 2013 145,709 miles

Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 7 Nov 2012 143,586 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 8 Nov 2011 137,766 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Fail 8 Nov 2011 137,766 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 19 Oct 2010 132,474 miles
Pass 27 Oct 2009 121,586 miles

Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

steering damper bush slightly worn

Fail 26 Oct 2009 121,586 miles

Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

steering damper bush slightly worn

Pass 6 Nov 2008 117,019 miles
Fail 3 Nov 2008 117,008 miles

Nearside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 9 Nov 2007 110,576 miles
Fail 8 Nov 2007 110,576 miles

Centre Rear Rear passenger seat cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.3)

Nearside Rear Rear passenger seat cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.3)

Offside Rear Rear passenger seat cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.3)

Pass 25 Oct 2006 99,653 miles
Pass 8 Nov 2005 88,078 miles

How Reliable is the Land Rover Defender?

Based on 2,960,045 MOT tests across 181,953 vehicles.

72.3%
Pass Rate
3,550
Miles/Year
43
Year Lifespan
181,953
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush 77,499
Brake pipe excessively corroded 77,229
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 57,749
position lamp(s) not working 53,914
Stop lamp not working 52,341
Full Land Rover Defender reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

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A8 VRW is a 1996 Land Rover Defender in Green with a 2,495cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 68.8%.

Across all 1996 Land Rover Defender models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.0% with a typical mileage of 122,435 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Land Rover Defender fails its MOT is shock absorber has an excessively worn bush, accounting for 77,499 recorded failures. If you're considering buying A8 VRW, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Land Rover Defender typically stays on UK roads for around 43 years. At 30 years old, this Land Rover Defender is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of A8 VRW?

You can check the full history of A8 VRW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A8 VRW registered?

A8 VRW is a 1996 Land Rover Defender, first registered on 19 November 1996.

Is A8 VRW safe to buy?

The MOT history for A8 VRW shows 32 tests with a 68.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A8 VRW have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on A8 VRW. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.